Ravens GM Says He Knew Diontae Johnson Trade 'Was 100% Not a Slam Dunk'

Reflecting on the ill-fated mid-season trade for wide receiver Diontae Johnson, Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta admitted that he wasn't surprised that things didn't work out.

DeCosta told reporters on Wednesday that he "knew it was 100 percent not a slam dunk" that acquiring Johnson from the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 29 would pay off in the long run.

DeCosta's instincts were correct, as Johnson appeared in just four games in Baltimore and recorded one catch for six yards before eventually being waived on Dec. 20. DeCosta was even forced to suspend him for one game after he refused to enter the team's Week 13 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Houston Texans claimed Johnson off waivers but then waived him less than a month later, giving the Ravens the chance to claim him. He didn't play another game for the team, and he will be a restricted free agent this offseason.

With Baltimore giving up just a 2025 fifth-round pick to Carolina, DeCosta added that he didn't see much downside to the trade thanks to the minimal compensation. Still, he was aware of the possibility of Johnson being unhappy in his role with the Ravens.

Baltimore's season came to an end in a heartbreaking 27-25 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional Round, so DeCosta will surely be looking to make more effective deals this offseason as the team gears up to make another run in 2025.